In order to play basketball, all you need, in most instances, is a basketball and a backboard with a rim attached. However, in order to teach someone else how to play the game and get in some solid practice, you may need additional equipment, such as a ball return and a toss back. Young players can also be outfitted with safety equipment that will help prevent them from being hit with errant elbows or a stray basketball.
Youth Basketball Basics
If you want to play basketball, you can get by with the basics of the game: a backboard with a rim attached, a basketball and a pair of gym shoes. After all, many players learned to play with basic equipment. Hall of Famer Larry Bird didn't even have a blacktop court to play on as a child and developed into one of the all-time greats.
Ball Return Equipment
A ball return is a convenient piece of equipment for youth basketball and is for times when there are just a couple of players on the court. The ball return, which is a chute-like device that attaches to the bottom of the rim, sends the ball tracking back toward the free throw line when the shooter has a successful shot. This enables the shooter get off more shots in a shorter period of time, and therefore, get in more practice. Young players can also use a toss back when practicing by themselves because it mimics the way a pass comes into a shooter. This makes it more effective to shoot because you are taking the pass and shooting versus taking a static shot.
Safety Equipment
Mouth guards and eye guards are standard protective equipment that can help young players. Mouth guards protect the teeth in the event of an errant elbow or the basketball itself hits the player in the lower jaw. Wearing a mouth guard helps a player keep his teeth in the event of getting hit by an elbow or a ball. Eye guards protect the eyes from scratches or potential damage from a collision.
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